Severe weather alert remains as more snow showers forecast

MET ÉIREANN’S severe weather alert remains in place this morning with widespread snow showers predicted.

Heavy snow yesterday left roads impassable in several parts of the country, and some schools were closed in counties stretching from Donegal to Kilkenny.

Forecaster Joan Blackburn said it would stay cold today, with frequent wintry showers continuing in the east and south.

“Any place could start off with snow in the morning,” she said.

Ms Blackburn said western, northern and inland areas could probably expect sleet and rain showers as a result of a slight rise in temperature to between one and five degrees.

This may also happen in the east and south.

“It will reduce snow cover for a short while in places, but it won’t get rid of it.”

Hazardous road conditions were reported last night in counties Wicklow, Kildare, Carlow and Donegal, as temperatures hovered around the zero mark and below.

Carlow is bracing itself for a “difficult day”, according to Liam Fitzgerald, senior roads engineer with the county council.

“We’ve been advised snow is going to come in from Baltinglass in the morning, spreading south,” he said.

Mr Fitzgerald said there had been some minor incidents yesterday, with “lorries jack-knifing here and there”.

A spokesman for Kildare County Council said snowfall of up to eight centimetres was expected across the county this morning. While many roads had been treated, it was not possible to salt all roads. Motorists should not travel unless it was absolutely necessary, he said. “While salt helps to counteract road freezing, it is not a universal remedy and does not provide grip where snow manages to build up to significant levels.”

Commuters faced severe delays in Naas and Newbridge yesterday.

Surfaces were also treacherous in Co Wicklow, where motorists were advised to avoid the Sally Gap and the Wicklow Gap.

In Co Donegal, vehicles were abandoned on the road between Milford and Letterkenny. Meanwhile, school closures in Letterkenny, Milford and parts of Inishowen were announced on Highland Radio.

Schools in counties Kilkenny and Meath were also closed.

Disruption to flights across Europe is expected to continue today. However, one high-profile passenger who recently braved Antarctic conditions is scheduled to return to Ireland this afternoon for more of the same.

Mark Pollock, the first blind person to reach the South Pole, is due to land in Dublin – weather permitting, of course.